Blankets having useful features

ABSTRACT

Blankets having useful features, kits including such blankets, and methods for manufacturing embodiments of the disclosed blankets and kits. A blanket according to the present disclosure may include a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface. Some examples of the disclosed blankets may include at least one pocket attached to a portion of the top surface of the main body. Other examples of the disclosed blankets may include means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body. Still other examples of the blankets according to the present disclosure may include both the pocket(s) and the means for attaching the pillow(s) or pad(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/340,935 filed on May 12, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Blankets are ubiquitous in homes and other contexts. They may be used for various purposes such as bed coverings, wearing around the body to stay warm, and even for setting on floors or the ground to provide a comfortable place to sit down, as in a picnic blanket. Some blankets have useful features such as having an opening at or near a center of an area defined by a surface of the blanket so as to insert one's head through that opening and use the blanket as a poncho. Other blankets, like the “space blanket,” may have materials that are capable of reflecting one's body heat back to him or her to maintain body core temperature.

Blankets are in widespread use by many people for many purposes. However, blankets have not been explored for very many purposes beyond those that are known. Accordingly, a need exists for a blanket providing a more specialized set of functions for people who may require them.

SUMMARY

Described and illustrated herein are blankets having useful features, kits including such blankets, and methods for manufacturing embodiments of the disclosed blankets and kits. A blanket according to the present disclosure may include a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface. Some examples of the disclosed blankets may include at least one pocket attached to a portion of the top surface of the main body. Other examples of the disclosed blankets may include means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body. Still other examples of the blankets according to the present disclosure may include both the pocket(s) and the means for attaching the pillow(s) or pad(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended figures provide views of blankets according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Notably, the blankets depicted in the appended drawings are not intended to be necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, the examples shown in the drawings are only examples of some embodiments of the disclosure, and it is strongly emphasized that features such as shapes, dimensions, and positioning of certain features relative to other features may be varied without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-1F are various views of a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a blanket having useful features during use thereof by a user according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a kit including the blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate examples of a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made with reference to the appended figures. Features mentioned below and attached to numbers correspond to those numbered features of the figures. Some features may be described below without numbers and corresponding labels in the drawings. In some such instances, a person having ordinary skill in the art may be expected to readily envision such features and how they may be implemented in the blanket according to the present disclosure without requiring undue experimentation. Furthermore, a person having ordinary skill in the art may be expected to add features to the described embodiments and/or to vary arrangements, sizes, types, materials, etc. and/or to recombine features from among the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed blankets.

FIGS. 1A-1F are various views of a blanket 1 having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the blanket 1 is rectangular-shaped and the views are labeled to correspond to the top, bottom, different sides, and a perspective looking from atop the blanket 1. Blanket 1 may include a main body 5 having a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 15. The top surface 10 may be coextensive with the bottom surface 15. That is to say, they may have the same, or substantially equal (e.g., within an inch, or within centimeter) dimensions.

In one embodiment, the blanket 1 may include at least one pocket 20 attached to a portion of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In another embodiment, the blanket 1 may include means for attaching 17 at least one pillow or pad 25 to at least one portion of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In yet another embodiment (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-1F), the blanket 1 may include both the aforementioned pillow(s) and/or pad(s) 20 and the aforementioned means for attaching 17 the pillow(s) and/or pad(s) 25.

In some embodiments, the top surface 10 of the main body 5 of blanket 1 may be positioned opposite the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5. In a first example, the main body 5 of blanket 1 may be constructed, fabricated, or otherwise formed as a one-piece construction. In a second example, the main body 5 of blanket 1 may be constructed, fabricated, or otherwise formed as a plurality of pieces, as for example and without limitation, an at least two-piece construction. In the second example embodied in an at least two-piece construction, the main body 5 of the blanket 1 may have a first piece 30 and a second piece 35. The first piece 30 may include the top surface 10 and the second piece 35 may include the bottom surface 15. The first piece 30 may be coupled to the second piece 35. This coupling may include stitching 37 between at least a portion of the perimeters of the first 30 and second 35 pieces of the main body 5, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1F.

In one embodiments, the blanket 1 may also include at least one pad 40 positioned between the first 30 and second 35 pieces of the main body 5. In such embodiments, the at least one pad 40 may be coupled to at least a portion of the first 30 and/or the second 35 pieces. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, there are four such pads 40. In other embodiments, the blanket 1 may include at least one means for folding 50 the main body 5 at least one time. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, blanket 1 may include two such means for folding 50: a first of which may be embodied in a through such or at least a semi-permanent crease extending horizontally, and a second of which may be embodied in a through such or at least a semi-permanent crease extending horizontally, as detailed in FIGS. 1A-1F. The two means for folding 50 of the illustrated embodiment may thus divide the top 10 and bottom 15 surfaces into four quadrants and thereby enable folding of blanket 1 two times to facilitate, for example, storing blanket on a shelf, in a drawer, or in a carrying case when not in use. In another embodiment, blanket 1 may include the at least one pad 40 coupled (e.g., stitched and/or glued to) to the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5, as shown in FIG. 2 .

In some embodiments, the at least one pad 40 may be coextensive with the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5. This aspect of the blanket 1 according to the present disclosure may take the form of the first piece 30 of main body 5 coupled (e.g., stitched and/or glued to) a first surface of the pad(s) 40, and the second piece 35 of main body 5 similarly coupled to a second surface of the pad(s) 40, where the first surface of the pad(s) is opposite the second surface of the pad(s) 40.

In one example, an area defined by the top 10 and/or bottom 15 surface(s) of the main body 5 may be greater than an area defined by the aforementioned first and/or second surface(s) of the pad(s) 40, as is the case in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1F. In another example, the area defined by the top 10 and/or bottom 15 surface(s) of the main body 5 may be the same, or substantially equal to, the area defined by the aforementioned first and/or second surface(s) of the pad(s) 40, as is the case in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . In yet another example, the area defined by the top 10 and/or bottom 15 surface(s) of the main body 5 may be less than the area defined by the aforementioned first and/or second surface(s) of the pad(s) 40.

In some embodiments, the at least one pocket 20 may be embodied in a plurality (i.e., two or more) pockets 20, as in the examples shown in FIGS. 1A-1F and 2 . In an example, the plurality of pockets 20 may be attached, or attachable to, two or more different portions of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In examples of blanket 1 of the present disclosure having two or more pockets 20, openings 45 of each pocket 20 may face in the same direction. The pocket(s) 20 and their respective opening(s) 45 may be shaped and dimensions to contain various objects that may be desired during use of blanket 1.

In some embodiments, the blanket 1 may further include the at least one pillow or pad 25 attached to the top surface 10 of the blanket 1. In an example, the pillow(s) and/or pad(s) 25 may be removably attached, or at least semi-permanently attached, to the top surface 10 of blanket 1. In one embodiment, the aforementioned means for attaching 17 may include one or more of the following: adhesive bond(s), threaded stitching(s), fastener(s), VELCRO, rivet(s), and hook(s). In some examples, at least one portion of the top surface 10 of main body 5 may have a first instance, or set, of means for attaching 17, and at least one portion of a surface of the pillow or pad 25 may have a second instance, or set, of a corresponding (e.g., mating) means for attaching 17 the pillow or pad 25 to the top surface 10.

In one embodiment, the at least one pillow or pad 25 may be attached, or attachable, to different portion(s) of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 as compared to portion(s) of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 to which the at least one pocket 20 is/are attached. For example, and without limitation, such example, the at least one pillow or pad 25 is attached, or attachable, to the portion(s) of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 relative to position(s) of the at least one pocket 20 to facilitate manual (e.g., with the hands) access by a user 55 seated 65 and/or kneeling 70 on the at least one pillow or pad 25 during use of the blanket 1. Such a user 55 may desire to use the blanket 1 according to the present disclosure as a prayer blanket to be laid upon a floor or ground surface 60, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In such use cases for the disclosed blanket 1, a first pocket 20 may contain a crucifix and a second pocket 20 may include a book (e.g., the Bible and/or personal journal of user 55). Persons having ordinary skill in the art are expected to recognize and appreciate numerous other known, or as yet unknown, activities that may represent other and/or additional use cases for the disclosed blanket 1 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the at least one pillow or pad 25 may include a plurality of pillows of pads 25. For instance, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 , two pillows or pads 25 are attached, or attachable to, the top surface 10 of the main body 5 of blanket 1. Such examples of blanket 1 having a plurality of pillow(s) or pad(s) 20 may enable a single instance of blanket 1 to be used either simultaneously or consecutively by two or more different users 55.

The main body 5 of the blanket 1 according to the present disclosure may assume a variety of shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, circular, ovoid, ellipsoid, heart, plus sign, star, triangular, or crucifix-shaped, as viewed from above the top 10 or bottom 15 surface as in FIGS. 1B and 1C, respectively). Main body 5 of blanket 1 may take any polygonal shape as viewed from above the top 10 or bottom 15 surface. Although shown in FIGS. 1A-1F as having at least roughly square edges and/or corners, blanket 1 may instead have arcuate or rounded edges and/or corners (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 ). Shape(s) of the corners and/or edges of main body 5 of blanket 1 may conform to, and thus at least approximately match, those of pad(s) 40.

Main body 5 of blanket 1 may be constructed, fabricated, otherwise formed of one or more materials of construction. Such materials may be, or may include, fabric(s), rubber(s), polymer(s), leather(s), skin(s), and combinations of those, and/or other suitable materials. Pocket(s) 20 and/or pillow(s) or pad(s) 25 of the disclosed blanket 1 may be formed of either the same, or different, materials of construction as compared to the main body 5. A material of construction of the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5 of blanket 1 may be either the same, or different, as compared to the top surface 10. In some embodiments, the material of construction used for the bottom surface 15 may be more durable, hard, and/or stiff as compared to the material used for the top surface 10. As bottom surface 15 of the main body 5 of the blanket 1 according to the present disclosure may be laid upon the floor or other ground surface 60. Accordingly, having bottom surface 15 being more made of a more durable material as compared to top surface 10 may be advantageous so as to prevent, or at least mitigate, wear and tear upon the bottom surface 15 and thereby increase a usable lifespan of blanket 1. Similarly, bottom surface 15 of main body 5 may be constructed, fabricated or otherwise formed of more waterproof, or at least water resistant, material of construction as compared to the top surface 10. As such, having bottom surface 15 being more made of a more waterproof or water resistant material (e.g., oiled canvas or leather, or GORE-TEX) as compared to top surface 10 may be advantageous so as to prevent, or at least mitigate, transport (e.g., wicking) of water from ground surfaces 60 during use cases such as blanket 1 getting laid upon wet grass.

The above discussion of the top 10 and bottom 15 surfaces of main body 5 may apply with equal or at least analogous force to material(s) of construction chosen for pad(s) 40. For pad(s) 40, the material(s) may be sufficient to provide cushioning to user(s) 55 sitting, laying, or kneeling on blanket 1, and may also be sufficient to at least partially return to an expanded state after being compressed by the weight of the user(s) 55 during use of blanket 1. Similarly, the material(s) of construction for the pillow(s) and/or pad(s) 25 of blanket 1 according to the present disclosure may be selected along the same lines of reasoning as described above for the pad(s) 40.

FIG. 4 is a kit including the blanket (e.g., blanket 1) having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The kit 80 may include blanket 1 as described for example, and without limitation, any of the various embodiments for which reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A and 3B. In some embodiments, kit 80 may also include a carrying bag or case 85 having an interior cavity 90 shaped and dimensioned to fit and contain the blanket 1.

In some embodiments, kit 80 may also include at least one, or a plurality of, pillow(s) or pad(s) 25. In an example, the interior cavity 90 of the carrying case or bag 85 may also be shaped and dimensioned to fit and contain both the blanket 1 and the at least one pillow or pad 25. In some embodiments, as for example, and without limitation, where the main body 5 of blanket 1 includes the means for folding 50 the main body, the interior cavity 90 of the carrying case or bag 85 may be further shaped and dimensioned to fit the blanket 1 in a folded state 95, either with, or without, also fitting and containing the pillow(s) or pad(s) 25.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate examples of a blanket 1 having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The blanket 1 on the right side of the photo in FIG. 5A, as well as in the photo of FIG. 5B, includes the pillow 25 centered on the top surface 10 of the blanket 1, along with two pockets 20. Also shown in FIG. 5B is the bottom surface 15 of the blanket 1 having a differing appearance or material as compared to the top surface 10 of the illustrated blanket 1. In FIG. 5B, an open book is shown resting on the top surface 10 of the blanket 1 between the two pockets 20.

The blanket 1 on the left side of the photo in FIG. 5A, and in FIG. 5C as well, includes the pillow 25 centered on the top surface 10 of the blanket 1. That same blanket 1 is shown in a folded state in FIG. 5D, with a first handle 87 being visible. In some embodiments, the blanket 1 may include at least a second handle 87, not shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, which may be coupled to a portion of the main body 5 of blanket 1, such that when the blanket 1 is in the folded state, a second handle 87 may be at least partially aligned with the first handle 87 in order that a user 55 may readily carry the folded up blanket (1) without the blanket (1) becoming unfolded.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 100 of manufacturing a blanket (e.g., blanket 1) having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 100 may be used in a manual and/or at least partially automated or mechanized process to fabricate, form, or otherwise manufacture blanket 1 and/or the kit 80 as described for example, and without limitation, any of the various embodiments for which reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A, 3B and 4 .

In one embodiment, method 100 may include the step of forming 105 a main body 5. The forming 105 step of method 100 may include forming the main body 5 having a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 15. Method 100 may also include the step of attaching 110 at least one pocket 20 to a portion of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In another embodiment, method 100 may include the step of forming 115 means for attaching 17 at least one pillow or pad 25 to at least one portion of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In an example, method 100 includes both of the aforementioned attaching 110 and forming 115 steps in addition to the step of forming 105 the main body 5.

In some embodiments, the method 100 step of forming 105 the main body 5 may include positioning the top surface 10 of the main body 5 opposite the bottom surface 10 of the main body 5. In one example, the forming 105 step of method 100 may include forming the main body 5 as a one-piece construction. In another example, the forming 105 step of method 100 may include forming the main body 5 as an at least two-piece construction having a first piece 30 and a second piece 35, the first piece 30 including the top surface 10 and the second piece 35 including the bottom surface 15.

In embodiments of method 100 where the main body 5 is formed 105 as an at least two-piece construction, forming the main body 5 as the at least two-piece construction comprises coupling the first piece 30 to the second piece 35.

In some embodiments, method 100 also includes the step of coupling at least one pad 40 to the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5. In an example, this coupling step of method 100 may make use of the aforementioned means for attaching 17.

In one embodiment, method 100 may include the step of coupling at least one pad 40 to the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5. In another embodiment, method 100 may include the step of positioning at least one pad 40 between the first 30 and second 35 pieces of the main body 5. In that embodiment, method 100 may further include the step of coupling the at least one pad 40 to at least a portion of the first 30 and/or the second 35 pieces of the main body 5. In an example, method 100 may include both the steps of: coupling at least one pad 40 to the bottom surface 15 of the main body 5, and positioning at least one pad 40 between the first 30 and second 35 pieces of the main body 5.

In some embodiments, the method 100 step of attaching 110 the at least one pocket 20 to a portion of the top surface 10 may include attaching (e.g., via the means 17) a plurality of pockets 20 to two or more different portions of the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In an example, the step of attaching the plurality of pockets 20 to two or more different portions of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 may include attaching the plurality of pocket(s) to the top surface 10 with openings 45 of each pocket 20 of the plurality of pockets 20 facing in the same direction.

In some embodiments, method 100 may also include the step of forming at least one means for folding 50 the main body 5 at least one time.

In some embodiments, method 100 may further include the step of coupling the at least one pillow or pad 25 to the top surface 10 of the main body 5. In one example, coupling the at least one pillow or pad 25 to the top surface 10 in method 100 may include coupling the at least one pillow or pad 25 to different portion(s) of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 as compared to portion(s) of the top surface 10 of the main body 5 to which the at least one pocket 20 is/are attached. In another example, coupling the at least one pillow or pad 25 to the top surface 10 in method 100 may include coupling a plurality of pillows or pads 25 to the top surface 10.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a blanket having useful features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, and with further reference being made to FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A, 3B and 4 , blanket 1 may include one or more straps 69 coupled to one or more portions of the bottom surface 15 by way of, for example and without limitation, stitching, cementing, and/or other suitable means 73 for attaching one or more straps 69 to bottom surface 15. In other embodiments, strap(s) 69 may be substituted with, for example and without limitation, rope(s), cord(s), ribbon(s) and/or string(s), either instead of or in addition to strap(s) 69. As such, strap(s) 69 may instead be referred to herein as means 69 for securing blanket 1 in a rolled state, as described below. In an example, blanket 1 may also include a handle 87 coupled to a side of the main body 5 of blanket 1.

FIGS. 7A-7C depict an example of blanket 1 in an unrolled state, as may be the case when blanket 1 is in use by a person as described above, for example and without limitation, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. Referring now to FIGS. 7D and 7E, and with further reference being made to FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A, 3B and 4 , inclusion of the aforementioned means 69 for securing may enable a user 55 to store blanket 1 in the rolled state. As shown in FIG. 7C, a user 55 may begin rolling blanket 1 from one end of the main body 5, such as the end where the curved arrow labeled 75 is depicted. A user 55 may lift that end and begin to roll the blanket 1 toward the opposite end. In an example, the pillow(s) 25 may remain attached to the top surface 30 and be rolled together with the blanket 1.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned rolling of blanket 1 by the user 55 may be substituted with a folding of the blanket 1, in like manner as described above with reference to FIG. 4 . The means 69 may be adapted to the folding case for use with, or without, the carrying case 85. FIGS. 7D and 7E show the blanket 1 in the rolled up state. The means 69 may be tied in a knot 79 to maintain the rolled blanket 1 in that state. In other examples, not shown, the means 69 may have their ends buckled together using a buckle, may have mating VELCRO strips, or may use a button and corresponding button hole. This provides a convenient way to store blanket 1 when not in use. In examples where pillow(s) 25 are rolled along with the main body 5 of blanket 1, the pillow(s) 25 may be protected from wear and soiling when being stored rather than being used. 

I claim:
 1. A blanket comprising: a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is coextensive with the bottom surface; and at least one pocket attached to a portion of the top surface of the main body.
 2. The blanket of claim 1, wherein the main body is an at least two-piece construction having a first piece and a second piece, the first piece including the top surface and the second piece including the bottom surface, wherein the first piece is coupled to the second piece.
 3. The blanket of claim 2 further comprising at least one pad positioned between the first and second pieces of the main body.
 4. The blanket of claim 3, wherein the at least one pad is coupled to at least a portion of at least one of the first, and the second, pieces of the main body.
 5. The blanket of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body.
 6. The blanket of claim 5 further comprising the at least one pillow or pad attached, or attachable, to different portion(s) of the top surface of the main body as compared to portion(s) of the top surface of the main body to which the at least one pocket is/are attached.
 7. The blanket of claim 6, wherein the at least one pillow or pad is attached, or attachable, to the portion(s) of the top surface of the main body relative to position(s) of the at least one pocket to facilitate manual access by a user seated and/or kneeling on the at least one pillow or pad during use of the blanket.
 8. The blanket of claim 6, wherein the at least one pillow or pad comprises a plurality of pillows or pads.
 9. The blanket of claim 1, wherein the main body is a one-piece construction.
 10. The blanket of claim 1 further comprising at least one pad coupled to the bottom surface of the main body.
 11. The blanket of claim 1, wherein the at least one pocket comprises a plurality of pockets attached to two or more different portions of the top surface of the main body.
 12. The blanket of claim 1 further comprising at least one means for folding the main body at least one time.
 13. A kit comprising: the blanket according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the blanket includes at least one means for folding the main body; and a carrying bag or case having an interior cavity shaped and dimensioned to fit the blanket in a folded state.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the blanket comprises means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body, the kit further comprising the at least one pillow or pad, and wherein the interior cavity of the carrying case or bag is further shaped and dimensioned to fit the blanket in a folded state.
 15. A method of manufacturing a blanket, the method comprising: forming a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface; and attaching at least one pocket to a portion of the top surface of the main body.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising forming means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising coupling the at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the main body comprises positioning the top surface of the main body opposite the bottom surface of the main body.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the main body comprises forming the main body as a one-piece construction.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the main body comprises forming the main body as an at least two-piece construction having a first piece and a second piece, the first piece including the top surface and the second piece including the bottom surface.
 21. A blanket comprising: a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is coextensive with the bottom surface; and means for attaching at least one pillow or pad to at least one portion of the top surface of the main body. 